Mattsburgh
Active Member
Curious what others are thinking and planning. Let's assume for posts here that you'll end up accepting their offer. Obviously we all realize rejecting the offer and keeping the car is an option but I'm asking this question for those that do sell their cars back: what is your thought process on what you do next?
Here is mine: My life has changed significantly since I bought the Kona. IF this defect hadn't happened or IF they were replacing my battery in a reasonable time frame, I'd be happy to keep my 2019 Kona Electric that I love... but given that those things aren't happening and given that I'm "starting over" again from square one, I'm almost certain I'm not going to buy another EV right now. One reason I just mentioned about my life changing in the past 2 years, but another is that I keep reading more about massive improvements in battery tech on the near horizon and I think maybe I'll wait just a little while for some of those to come out. I think within 5 years we're going to see cars charging in 5-10 minutes, or at least 80% in 5-10 minutes. (I mean if it's our Konas that's all we can charge anyway, amirite?
thank you, I'll be here all week folks!)
Ok seriously though, I am moving this year and expect to have longer and more frequent road trips, and as such I've decided I think I'm going to go with a PHEV for the foreseeable future with the expectation that I'll probably go back to a full EV in 5-10 years - hopefully by then we'll have solid state batteries or something similar but if not I'll likely still be ready by then to go back to full EV.
Anyway, back to the PHEV options, I kind of started with the RAV 4 Prime, and then realized the Escape now also comes in a PHEV. But then I found out Hyundai is coming out with a PHEV Tucson and Santa Fe, too. I think I've settled on the Tucson PHEV ... if I can get one, of course.
Here's my analysis of the options:
Anyway, I suspect I'm in the minority here and most people are probably going to get another EV. Would be interested to hear what ones are at the top of your lists.
Here is mine: My life has changed significantly since I bought the Kona. IF this defect hadn't happened or IF they were replacing my battery in a reasonable time frame, I'd be happy to keep my 2019 Kona Electric that I love... but given that those things aren't happening and given that I'm "starting over" again from square one, I'm almost certain I'm not going to buy another EV right now. One reason I just mentioned about my life changing in the past 2 years, but another is that I keep reading more about massive improvements in battery tech on the near horizon and I think maybe I'll wait just a little while for some of those to come out. I think within 5 years we're going to see cars charging in 5-10 minutes, or at least 80% in 5-10 minutes. (I mean if it's our Konas that's all we can charge anyway, amirite?

Ok seriously though, I am moving this year and expect to have longer and more frequent road trips, and as such I've decided I think I'm going to go with a PHEV for the foreseeable future with the expectation that I'll probably go back to a full EV in 5-10 years - hopefully by then we'll have solid state batteries or something similar but if not I'll likely still be ready by then to go back to full EV.
Anyway, back to the PHEV options, I kind of started with the RAV 4 Prime, and then realized the Escape now also comes in a PHEV. But then I found out Hyundai is coming out with a PHEV Tucson and Santa Fe, too. I think I've settled on the Tucson PHEV ... if I can get one, of course.
Here's my analysis of the options:
- RAV4 Prime
- Pros: Great EV mode range of over 40 miles. Toyota typically has very high quality and reliability. Full Fed tax rebate of $7500 b/c the battery is so large (Ford and Hyundai will still get $6,000+ )
- Cons: Slow 3.3 kW charger is standard, have to pay extra for 6.6 and only available as package on top trim. Vehicle is very difficult to get. No wireless AA. RAV 4 actually mediocre reliability, esp. for Toyota. I think the car is kind of ugly.
- Ford Escape PHEV
- Pros: Very good EV Range of 38 miles. 6.6 kW (? maybe) charger standard. I had a Ford C-Max PHEV and it had excellent reliability, Sync 3 was a breeze, too.
- Cons: Car looks ok, a bit outdated though. No wireless AA. AWD not available on the PHEV version. Contrary to my personal experience with the Ford C-Max PHEV, the Escape in general has had terrible reliability.
- Hyundai Tucson PHEV
- Pros: Stunning looks inside and out. Good EV Range of 32 miles. 7.2 kW onboard charging standard on all trims. All new vehicle. AWD standard on all trims. Wireless AA avail. on smaller 8 in screen but not 10 in (hope for future software updates to fix that?). Best warranty of the 3 by far.
- Cons: All new vehicle (unknown reliability). Not as powerful as the Ford or Toyota, and less EV range than either.
Anyway, I suspect I'm in the minority here and most people are probably going to get another EV. Would be interested to hear what ones are at the top of your lists.